The BBKA was set up in 1874 to promote and further the craft of beekeeping and to advance the education of the public in the importance of bees in the environment. It is the UK's leading organisation representing 25,000+ beekeepers and millions of honey bees. We promote the importance of bees in the environment support for beekeepers through education necessary to maintain healthy colonies of honey bees, and awareness of the craft of beekeeping. On behalf of our members, we lobby Government, the EU and Official Bodies on the importance of providing adequate funding for honey bee research.